Package For Holding Multiple Media Discs And Methods Of Making The Same

ABSTRACT

A package for holding media discs is disclosed, having a hinged tray assembly that includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays each having a hinge edge and means for securing a media disc to the tray, the trays being constructed such that the disc securing means of each tray is positioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacent trays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with hinge edges lined up and each disc securing means being offset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged to each other. The package can also include a jacket with a plurality of panels folding around the tray assembly to close the package.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/781,445 filed Mar. 10, 2006, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to improvements to productpackaging, and more particularly to advantageous aspects of packagingfor holding multiple media discs and methods for making same.

2. Background of the Related Art

Numerous packages have been developed for holding media discs. The basicmedia disc package is the so-called “jewel case,” which typicallyincludes a tray for holding a media disc, and a hinged cover that snapsinto place over the tray. Jewel cases have been developed to hold twomedia discs. One such jewel case includes a two-sided central tray thatreceives a media disc on each side. Another jewel case provides for twomedia discs to be stacked, one on top of each other, in the same tray.However, neither of these designs is entirely satisfactory for a numberof reasons, including ease of use, prevention of damage to the disc andaesthetic appearance. Further, it is becoming increasingly common formedia discs to be packaged in sets having more than two discs.

There is thus a need for easy-to-use, esthetically appealing packagingfor holding multiple media discs that can be manufactured at anacceptably low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to a package for holding media discsand methods for making the same. The package includes a hinged trayassembly and a jacket. The jacket has a plurality of panels that foldaround the tray assembly to close the package and it has an interiorsurface to which the tray assembly is mounted.

The hinged tray assembly includes at least two transparent disc-holdingtrays which each have a hinge edge and include means for securing amedia disc to the tray. The trays are constructed such that the discsecuring means (e.g., hub, rosette, etc.) of each tray is positionedoffset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacent trays suchthat when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, the trays arearranged in a stack with their hinge edges lined up and each discsecuring means being offset from the disc securing means of adjacenttrays in the stack.

These and other aspects of the device and method of the subjectinvention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinaryskill in the art from the following detailed description of theinvention taken in conjunction with the figures and appended material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosedsystem appertains will more readily understand how to make and use thesame, reference may be had to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package for holding media discs inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein thedisc trays are assembled into a hinged stack;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the package of FIG. 1 whereina first disc tray of the hinged disc tray assembly has been pivotedalong the hinge edge so as to permit access to the second disc tray;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package for holding media discs whichhas been constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken from above of the media package ofFIG. 3 wherein the first trays in the left and right hinged trayassemblies have been pivoted to a partially open position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of media package of FIG. 3showing the right side disc tray assembly having its first tray pivotedto a partially open position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the left side disc trayassembly illustrating the longitudinal offset of the disc securing meansof the first disc tray with respect to the disc securing means of thesecond tray;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the media package of FIG. 3 showing thecovers for the left and right disc tray assemblies in the partially openposition; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the media package of FIG. 3 showing thepackage in the substantially closed configuration.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing two additional embodiments of disc trayassemblies in accordance with the invention, one tray disc assemblybeing shown hinged in accordion fashion, and the other being shownhinged in a combination of common hinge edge fashion and accordionfashion.

These and other features of the subject invention will become morereadily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term “media disc” refers to a compact disc (CD),digital video disc (DVD), or other disc or disc-shaped media item thatis used to store analog or digital information.

Reference is now made to the accompanying figures for the purpose ofdescribing, in detail, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.The figures and detailed description are provided to describe andillustrate examples in which the disclosed subject matter may be madeand used, and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

Referring now to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2 a media package 10 which has been constructed in accordance witha first embodiment of the present invention. The media package 10includes first and second disc-holding trays 12 and 14 which aretransparent and arranged in a hinged stack. The disc-holding trays eachhave a hinge edge and a hub or rosette 16 for securing a rnedia disc tothe tray. As best shown in FIG. 1, the trays are constructed such thatwhen the disc trays 12 and 14 are arranged in a stack, the rosette 16 aof tray 12 is vertically/longitudinally offset a distance “d” withrespect to the rosette 16 b of tray 14. When the tray assembly is in aclosed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stack with their hingeedges lined up and the rosette of one disc tray is offset from therosette of adjacent trays in the stack.

The transparency of disc tray 12 allows disc tray 14 and any media discattached thereto or graphics associated therewith to be seen without theneed to move disc tray 12 (i.e., pivot tray 12 along hinge 22 to theopen position). Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that atray stack can include more than two disc trays without departing fromthe inventive aspects of the present disclosure. Moreover, the offsetdistance “d” can dimensioned such that only the edge of a media discaffixed to the next tray in the stack can be seen or the offset “d” canbe made large enough to allow graphics or text printed on or adhered toface of the media disc or disc tray to be viewed through the disc traypositioned above the tray in the stack.

As shown in FIG. 2, the trays are hinged to each other by a flexiblehinge member 22 that is affixed to the left edge of the stack of trays.However, other hinge configurations can be employed as will be discussedherein below. In the presently disclosed embodiment, the stack of traysis mounted onto an interior panel of an outer jacket 20. Alternatively,the stack of trays may be inserted into an open-ended sleeve or othercarrier.

The hinge member 22 can be fabricated from any suitable material, suchas a styrene-based film or tape, polyethylene, polypropylene, or thelike. The hinge member 22 may be fabricated, for example, from a stripof commercially available poly tape. The hinge member 22 must beflexible enough to allow the package 10 to be opened and closed freely,but must be strong enough to prevent failure of the hinge member orseparation of the tray stack from the jacket 20. The hinge member may beaffixed to the trays using an adhesive, or using a mechanical technique,including techniques using ultrasound or heat. In addition, the stack oftrays 12 and 14 may be hinged in a number of different configurationswithout departing from the spirit of the invention. In the package 10shown in FIG. 1, the hinge member 22 is positioned proximate to thespine 18 of the jacket 20, in a parallel relationship with the folds inthe jacket 20. However, it would also be possible to position the hingemember 22 distal from the spine of the jacket 20, or in a transverserelationship with the folds in the jacket 20.

Each tray in the package 10 includes a cavity 24 (24 a for disc tray 12and 24 b for disc tray 14) for receiving a media disc. Media discscommonly include a central spindle hole which engages with the rosetteof the disc tray to releasably secure the media disc thereto.

The style, shape, and dimensions of each tray 12/14, including thenumber of indentations therein and the design and shape of the rosette16 a/16 b, may be varied and are not limited in any way by thisdisclosure. The trays may suitably be fabricated from a plastic materialthat has been injection molded. Suitable materials for the tray includepolystyrene, polypropylene, and environmentally friendly materials suchas polylactic acid. As noted above, the trays are fabricated from aclear material, such as crystal styrene. The use of a clear material isdesirable from an aesthetic point of view. Further, the use of atransparent material for the trays allows a user of the package toquickly determine whether any of the trays are empty.

As noted above, media package 10 includes a jacket 20 suitable for usein some embodiments of the media package 10. Prior to the addition ofany text, graphics, and the like to the jacket 20, the exterior side ofthe jacket 20 is substantially identical in appearance to the interiorside. According to one aspect of the invention, the jacket 20 is shapedsuch that it can be folded around the stack of trays mounted into thejacket 20 to form a boxlike package. The jacket may be fabricated frompaper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, or other suitable material.According to a further aspect of the invention, the jacket is fabricatedfrom a material that is suitable for a high-speed printing process. Asshown in FIG. 1, the jacket includes crease lines which are used to foldthe jacket 20 cleanly around the stack of trays mounted into the jacket.The crease lines divide the jacket 20 into three sections: a front panel56, a spine 18, a rear panel. As further discussed below, additionalpanels, creases and spines can be added to the jacket.

The creases may be introduced into the jacket using a number ofdifferent techniques. For example, if the jacket is fabricated frompaperboard or cardboard, the creases can be introduced by pressing ascoring blade into the jacket. If the jacket is fabricated from plastic,the creases may be formed using an electron beam, RF creasing,microperforation or other suitable technique.

It should be noted that the shape of the jacket may be modified, asdesired, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Forexample, it may be desirable to include cutout regions in the jacket.Further, it may be desirable for portions of the jacket to extend beyondthe perimeter of the stack of trays.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge for the trays is located proximate thespine of the jacket. However, depending on how the package is used, thelocation of the hinge away from the spine of the jacket may result inless strain on the package as it is unfolded. For example, hinging thetrays to an edge of the jacket opposite the spine allows the insidefront panel of the jacket to remain visible as the trays are fannedopen. Thus, if informational content is printed on the inside frontpanel, this informational content will continue to be visible as eachtray is fanned out. Further, if the package is opened for display, thelocation of the hinge along an outside edge of the jacket allows more ofthe package interior to be displayed. In other embodiments (not shown),the hinge edge may be located along the top edge of the jacket, suchthat the stack of trays may be opened by folding upward and outward.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 8, there is illustrated a secondpreferred embodiment of the media disc package of the present inventionwhich has been designated as reference numeral 100. Unlike media package10, media package 100 includes a first (left) hinged disc tray assembly130 and a second (right) hinged disc tray assembly 140, wherein eachtray assembly includes first and second disc-holding trays 112 and 114which are transparent and arranged in a hinged stack. The disc-holdingtrays each have a hinge edge 122 and a hub or rosette 116 for securing amedia disc to the tray. As best shown in FIG. 6, the trays of each disctray assembly 130/140 are constructed such that when the disc trays 112and 114 are arranged in a stack, the rosette 116 a of tray 112 isvertically/longitudinally offset a distance “d” with respect to therosette 116 b of tray 114. When the tray assembly 130/140 is in a closedconfiguration, the trays 112/114 are arranged in a stack with theirhinge edges lined up and the rosette of disc tray 112 is offset from therosette of adjacent tray 114.

As before, the transparency of disc tray(s) 112 allows disc tray(s) 114and any media disc attached thereto or graphics associated therewith tobe seen without the need to move disc tray 112 (i.e., pivot tray 112along hinge 122 to the open position). Those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that a tray stack can include more than two disctrays without departing from the inventive aspects of the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the offset distance “d” can sized such that onlythe edge of a media disc affixed to the next tray in the stack can beseen or the offset “d” can be made large enough to allow graphics ortext printed on or adhered to face of the media disc or disc tray to beviewed through the disc trays positioned above the tray in the stack.

As described hereinbefore, the trays in a stack are hinged to each otherby a flexible hinge member 122 that is affixed to an edge (left edge fordisc tray assembly 130 and right edge for disc tray assembly 140) of thestack of trays. However, other hinge configurations can be employed aswill be discussed herein below. In the presently disclosed embodiment,the stack of trays is mounted onto an interior panel of an outer jacket20. Alternatively, the stack of trays may be inserted into an open-endedsleeve or other carrier.

The media package 100 includes a jacket 150 suitable for use in someembodiments of the media package 100. Prior to the addition of any text,graphics, and the like to the jacket 150, the exterior side of thejacket 150 is substantially identical in appearance to the interiorside. According to one aspect of the invention, the jacket 150 is shapedsuch that it can be folded around each stack of trays mounted into thejacket 150 to form a boxlike package. As shown in FIG. 3, the jacketincludes six crease lines 152 a, 152 b, 153, 154, 155 a and 155 b, whichare used to fold the jacket 150 cleanly around both stacks 130/140 oftrays mounted into the jacket. The crease lines 152 a, 152 b, 153, 154,155 a and 155 b divide the jacket 150 into seven sections: a frontinterior panel 156, a main spine 158, a rear panel 160, a first disctray assembly cover 162, a second disc tray assembly cover 164 andinterior spines 166 and 168.

As described above, the creases may be introduced into the jacket usinga number of different techniques and the shape of the jacket may bemodified, as desired, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of media package 100 according to afurther embodiment of the present invention in which the two tray stacksare hinged away from the main spine 158 of the jacket 150. Those skilledin the art will readily appreciate that the location of the hinge can bechanged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Media package 100 may be advantageously combined with a slip case thatis shaped to closely receive the closed package 100.

Commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/060,576, published asUS 2005/0189244, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety, illustrates techniques for fabricating aplurality of hinged assemblies simultaneously. (See FIGS. 17 through 21and specification referring thereto). As shown in FIG. 17, according. toa first technique, a plurality of trays 160 is arranged side by side sothat their hinge edges are in alignment. The number of trays is amultiple of the number of trays in each hinged assembly in the finishedpackage.

A swath of hinge material 162 is then prepared, having dimensionscorresponding to the size of the combined hinge edges. As shown in FIG.18, the swath of hinge material 162 is then affixed onto the hinge edgesof the trays 160 to form an integral unit 170. As shown in FIG. 19, theswath of hinge material is then cut between trays at regular intervals171, 172, 173 and 174, each interval including the desired number oftrays. As shown in FIG. 20, individual hinged assemblies 175, 176, 177,178 and 179 are then separated. The hinged assemblies are then mountedinto jackets, as described above. The swath of hinge material may becut, for example, in a single stroke using a bar having cutting bladesmounted thereon. Of course, the cuts may also be made one at a time.

In the previously described embodiments, the disc trays were hingedalong a common longitudinal/vertical edge. However, it should beunderstood that the trays can be hinged along a transverse/horizontaledge. Moreover, it is not required that the all of the trays in a stackbe hinged along a common edge. As shown in FIG. 9, the trays can also behinged into a stack in an accordion fashion having hinges positioned onthe top and bottom edges or on opposing side edges, as in trayassemblies 900 and 950.

It should be noted that the offset “d” described above does not have tobe a vertical/longitudinal offset and can be a horizontal/transverseoffset or simply a radial offset between the center of the rosette foradjacent disc trays.

While the foregoing description includes details which will enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognizedthat the description is illustrative in nature and that manymodifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilledin the art having the benefit of these teachings. It is accordinglyintended that the invention herein be defined solely by the claimsappended hereto and that the claims be interpreted as broadly aspermitted by the prior art.

1. A package for holding media discs, comprising: a) a hinged trayassembly that includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays eachhaving a hinge edge and means for securing a media disc to the tray, thetrays being constructed such that the disc securing means of each trayis positioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacenttrays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, thetrays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edges lined up and eachdisc securing means being offset from the disc securing means ofadjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged to each other; andb) a jacket, comprising a plurality of panels that fold around the trayassembly, the jacket including an interior surface to which the trayassembly is mounted, the plurality of panels folding around the trayassembly to close the package.
 2. A package for holding media discs asrecited in claim 1, wherein each disc securing means is offset from thedisc securing means of adjacent trays by an offset distance large enoughto reveal at least an edge of each disc to be visible when a disc issecured to each disc securing means and when the tray assembly is in theclosed configuration.
 3. A package for holding media discs as recited inclaim 2, wherein the offset distance is large enough to reveal at leasta portion of graphics and/or text on each disc when a disc is secured toeach disc securing means and when the tray assembly is in the closedconfiguration.
 4. A package for holding media discs as recited in claim1, wherein the disc securing means are offset along a line parallel tothe hinge edges of the trays.
 5. A package for holding media discs asrecited in claim 1, wherein the disc securing means are offset along aline perpendicular to the hinge edges of the trays.
 6. A package forholding media discs as recited in claim 1, wherein the disc securingmeans are offset along a line oblique to the hinge edges of the trays.7. A package for holding media discs as recited in claim 1, wherein thetrays are hinged together with at least one hinge member affixed to eachtray proximate the hinge edge.
 8. A package for holding media discs asrecited in claim 7, wherein the at least one hinge member is of amaterial selected from a list including: styrene-based film,styrene-based tape, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
 9. A package forholding media discs as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least onehinge member is affixed to each tray with an adhesive.
 10. A package forholding media discs as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least onehinge member is affixed to each tray with a mechanical techniqueselected from a list including ultrasound and heating.
 11. A package forholding media discs as recited in claim 7, wherein the tray assembly ismounted to the jacket so that the hinge member is proximate to a spinein the jacket configured and adapted to fold around the hinge member toclose the package.
 12. A package for holding media discs as recited inclaim 7, wherein the tray assembly is mounted to the jacket so that thehinge member is parallel to and distal from a folding spine in a middleportion of the jacket.
 13. A package for holding media discs as recitedin claim 7, wherein the tray assembly is mounted to the jacket so thatthe hinge member is transverse to a folding spine in a middle portion ofthe jacket.
 14. A package for holding media discs as recited in claim 1,wherein the trays are of a material suitable for injection molding. 15.A package for holding media discs as recited in claim 14, wherein thetrays are of a material selected from a list including polystyrene,polypropylene, polylactic acid crystal styrene.
 16. A package forholding media discs as recited in claim 1, wherein the jacket is of amaterial selected from a list including paper, paperboard, cardboard,and plastic.
 17. A package for holding media discs as recited in claim16, wherein the jacket is of a material suitable for a high-speedprinting process.
 18. A package for holding media discs as recited inclaim 16, wherein the panels in the jacket are separated from oneanother by folds in the jacket, the folds being scored into the jacket.19. A package for holding media discs as recited in claim 1, wherein thejacket is of a plastic material.
 20. A package for holding media discsas recited in claim 19, wherein the panels in the jacket are separatedfrom one another by RF creases, electron beam creases, ormicroperforation.
 21. A package for holding media discs as recited inclaim 1, wherein the jacket defines cutout regions.
 22. A package forholding media discs as recited in claim 1, wherein the jacket includesportions that extend beyond a perimeter defined by the tray assembly.23. A package for holding media discs as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a slip case configured and adapted to closely receive theclosed jacket and tray assembly.
 24. A package for holding media discsas recited in claim 1, wherein the tray assembly includes two disctrays.
 25. A package for holding media discs as recited in claim 1,wherein the tray assembly includes three disc trays.
 26. A package forholding media discs as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least twotrays are hinged to one another in accordion fashion.
 27. A package forholding media discs as recited in claim 1 wherein the hinged trayassembly includes more than three disc trays, and wherein at least threeof the disc trays are hinged to one another in accordion fashion.
 28. Apackage for holding media discs, comprising: a) a hinged tray assemblythat includes at least two transparent disc-holding trays each having ahinge edge and means for securing a media disc to the tray, the traysbeing constructed such that the disc securing means of each tray ispositioned offset with respect to the disc securing means of adjacenttrays such that when the tray assembly is in a closed configuration, thetrays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edges lined up and eachdisc securing means being offset from the disc securing means ofadjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged to each other; andb) an open-ended sleeve, slideably connected to enclose the trayassembly.
 29. A package for holding media discs, comprising: a) a firsthinged tray assembly that includes at least two transparent disc-holdingtrays each having a hinge edge and means for securing a media disc tothe tray, the trays being constructed such that the disc securing meansof each tray is positioned offset with respect to the disc securingmeans of adjacent trays such that when the tray assembly is in a closedconfiguration, the trays are arranged in a stack with their hinge edgeslined up and each disc securing means being offset from the discsecuring means of adjacent trays in the stack, the trays being hinged toeach other; b) a second hinged tray assembly that includes at least twotransparent disc-holding trays each having a hinge edge and means forsecuring a media disc to the tray, the trays being constructed such thatthe disc securing means of each tray is positioned offset with respectto the disc securing means of adjacent trays such that when the trayassembly is in a closed configuration, the trays are arranged in a stackwith their hinge edges lined up and each disc securing means beingoffset from the disc securing means of adjacent trays in the stack, thetrays being hinged to each other; and c) a jacket, comprising aplurality of panels that fold around the first and second trayassemblies, the jacket including an interior surface to which the trayassemblies are mounted, the plurality of panels folding around the trayassemblies to close the package wherein the first and second trayassemblies are mounted to the jacket with the hinge edges of the firsttray parallel to and distal from a folding spine in the jacket and thehinge edges of the second tray assembly are parallel to and distal fromthe folding spine on a side of the jacket opposite the hinge edges ofthe first tray assembly.